About the Oblique Calligraphy Pen

When I first developed an interest in calligraphy, I perused a lot of calligraphy photos online. Those photos featured a recurring theme: a strange-looking pen with a “thingy” sticking out of its side. After some intensive Googling, I found out that the “thingy” is called a “flange”, and the pen is called an “oblique calligraphy pen”.

Oblique calligraphy pens with a flange on the left were developed for right-handed writers. Pens with a flange on the right are for lefties!

I want to make today’s post the blog post that answers questions about oblique pens in a straightforward way. What is an oblique calligraphy pen, how do you write with it, which pen should you use … these are all questions that I wish someone could have answered for me in 2012! I hope that this post can clear up any confusion you have about the oblique calligraphy pen, and help you to discover an invaluable tool to add to your collection.

1. What Is an Oblique Calligraphy Pen?

In order to successfully create calligraphy, you need to fulfill two requirements. First, your nib must be parallel to the writing slant that you wish to achieve. Second, you have to exert even pressure on both tines of the nib. Right-handed people may experience a difficult time meeting these requirements with a straight pen, thus the development of the oblique calligraphy pen!

It’s usually easiest for right-handed people to create calligraphy with a slant (like Janet Style, shown here) if they use an oblique calligraphy pen.

Most calligraphy has a right-leaning (55 degree or so) slant, and righties can have a hard time achieving that slant with a straight calligraphy pen. Don’t get me wrong: it can be done. As a right-handed person, you can rotate your paper and experiment with your posture and grip to achieve a nice slant. However, righties will probably find it much easier to use an oblique pen versus a straight pen.

2. How Do You Write with an Oblique Calligraphy Pen?

If you’re interested in writing with an oblique calligraphy pen, I show you exactly how to use it in the Beginner’s Modern Calligraphy Online Course videos. However, I’ll also summarize in this article! Purists will say that there’s only one grip to use with the oblique calligraphy pen: you put your index finger on the top of the pen, and the tip of your thumb rests just above the flange.

It’s a little bit difficult to see in this photo, but the traditional grip involves putting your index finger on top of the pen. The tip of your thumb rests just above the edge of the flange.

Here’s a side view of the traditional grip.

I am not a purist when it comes to a lot of elements of calligraphy, and the oblique pen is no exception. For that reason, I use a grip that suits me. The traditional grip doesn’t work for me because I generally keep my fingernails long. A long thumbnail makes it uncomfortable to put the tip of your thumb above the flange, so you can rest the left side of your thumb on the flange. You then use your index finger and your thumb to “pinch” the barrel of the pen, and your other three fingers stay under the pen.

Contrary to what this photo shows, I like to keep my nails fairly long. For that reason, the traditional grip doesn’t work for me, and I like to rest my thumb on the flange as pictured!

If both of the grips described above don’t work for you, you should feel free to experiment with your own grip. Try holding the pen further up on the barrel, for example. Whatever technique gets you comfortable with writing calligraphy is perfect!

Don’t be afraid to experiment with your grip until you figure out what feels right for you!

3. Which Oblique Pen Should You Use?

You should use a brass-flanged oblique pen that’s fitted for the nib that you wish to write with. Try not to use a plastic-flanged oblique pen, no matter how tempting the price! You can find out why in the 5 Reasons to Ditch Your Plastic Oblique Pen article.

This oblique calligraphy pen is fitted for a Nikko G nib. It can also fit nibs that are of a similar size to the Nikko G. However, it won’t fit other shapes of nibs like the tiny Brause EF66.

You may be wondering: how do you know which nib you want to use (and therefore, which oblique pen to purchase)? Well, I’d try out a variety of nibs in a straight pen first, and designate a favorite from there. Buy an oblique pen based on whichever nib — or nibs — that you like. I, personally, use my Brause EF66 oblique pen 99% of the time. Really: you’ll find that you only need one oblique pen, maybe two, maximum. For a more detailed article on specific oblique calligraphy pens, check out A Guide to Oblique Calligraphy Pens.

4. Information for Lefties

Most left-handed people actually have an advantage when it comes to calligraphy. You see, as a lefty, you’re coming from the left and moving to the right. If you can keep your hand under your calligraphy, it’s much easier for you to make a right-leaning slant than it is for a typical right-handed person.

That said, there are some lefties who find it uncomfortable to write with a straight pen. In that case, a left oblique pen may really help! Throughout the course of teaching in-person workshops, I found that 10% or so of lefty students connected best with a left oblique pen. Usually, these were lefties who write with a hook when using a regular pen, or lefties who tended to uncomfortably contort their bodies while writing to get a proper angle. You can learn more about writing with a straight pen and an oblique pen as a lefty if you watch this 5 minute video by (lefty) calligrapher John DeCollibus.

5. Conclusion

As a right-handed person, I almost exclusively use an oblique calligraphy pen. There are three exceptions. First, if I’m writing a straight up and down calligraphy style (like the Amy), I don’t need the right-leaning slant advantage that the oblique pen gives me. Second, I like to use straight pens for hand-lettering (for an example, see this article). Finally, I enjoy using straight pens to create pen and ink illustrations like the illustrated lace butterfly.

Amy Style calligraphy has no slant to it, so it’s easiest to create with a straight calligraphy pen.

If you predominantly write with your right hand, you’ll probably love the oblique pen! I encourage you to give it a try. It may be confusing at first, but once you get the hang of it, it can be a game-changer. For detailed instructions over how to use it, you can check out the Beginner’s Modern Calligraphy Online Course. If you’re a lefty, stick with your straight pen if you’re happy with it. If you’re not, try a left oblique! It just may be the calligraphy tool that you’ve been searching for.

I hope that you enjoyed this article! Hopefully it serves to clear up confusion or guide you to your new favorite calligraphy tool. For further reading, I strongly recommend Dr. Joseph Vitolo’s article Demystifying the Oblique Penholder. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to ask in the comments!